I stumbled into Outland while attempting to make my way around the Ubisoft booth at PAX this year. The game was being ignored in the corner, but it instantly caught my eye. Created by Housemarque, developers of Super Stardust HD and the upcoming Dead Nation, this action platformer clearly borrows (steals?) the light/dark switching mechanic from Ikaruga -- right down to the absorption of bullet patterns.

It's a great mechanic, but guess what -- I've never gotten past the second level in Ikaruga. Have you? I'm, terrible at shoot'em ups and Ikaruga is as hard as they come. Fast paced action platformers reminiscent of Metroid and Castlevania, on the other hand, is a genre I can get into. The game looks great and the action and combat is really fast and smooth. Consider this at the top of my list as far as download titles for next year. Make sure you watch the videos below, especially the second one.

Comments

  • Avatar
    Darknezz
    14 years, 1 month ago

    I love Ikaruga's "polarity" mechanic, and I've always wished it was used in more games. This is pretty cool looking.

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    Dimensaur
    14 years, 1 month ago

    I'm glad you stumbled upon this because I don't think many of us community members would have found out about it any other way. I've been keeping my eye on this one and I like the looks of it so far. The silhouette art style and the absorption mechanics are nothing we haven't seen before, but there is something about the way it is presented in this game that makes it seem new (new-ish anyway).

    It certainly is interesting, and I'm going to keep my eye on it for sure.

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    Fodie
    14 years, 1 month ago

    I really dig 2d platformers and unique styles, and Outland seems have both in large degrees. It'd be really cool if there was some semblance of an adventure involved. I freakishly hope there is a story along with that game.

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    Auto
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Reminds me of that Stick Movie Ghost Fight... And that's a good thing.

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    monam91
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Holy shit! Might have to day one this still, you get me fam. Fliiiiiiiiiip
    Buy honestly its looks really cool, i do hope its challenging but not a cluster fuck at points. Super Stardust was a great dowanloadable title with great presentation and gameplay, so i'm looking really foward to this.

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    Valkodu
    14 years, 1 month ago

    So I wasn't the only one who couldn't pass the second level? Well, that's a relief.

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    Snighthawk
    14 years, 1 month ago

    I like this presentation, the visuals are attractive and the bgm (if the song in the second trailer was part of it) is relaxing. There's strong puzzle gameplay to be had with that polarity mechanic too. The game gives a great first impression from these trailers, but it got ignored at PAX, huh? Shame.

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    Rendrak
    14 years, 1 month ago

    It certainly looks interesting. It also looks hard as hell. I was never a big fan of Ikaruga.

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    Favocado
    14 years, 1 month ago

    2D action platformer with a cool style and interesting gameplay? Count me in.

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    Comradebearjew
    14 years, 1 month ago

    It looks beautiful, but how does it play?

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    Muddy_Donuts
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Looks great and I heard Backtracking with new abilities so it looks like it could be a Metroidvania, which is always good!

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    ST3ALTH NinJA 9
    13 years, 11 months ago

    hey brad if you want to add me on xbox live my gamertag is ST3ALTH NinJA 9 add me if you want you dont have to but if u do i'll see you on there